Campobello Island, NB, Canada

Today we went through Canadian customs after crossing the bridge to Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada.  This is where Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his family owned a summer ‘cottage’.  It was built in 1897 and bought by his mother, Sara, in 1909 for $5,000.  She left the house and land to FDR when she died.  It is on 5 acres that is well taken care of by several gardeners.  The 12,000 square foot cottage has seven fireplaces, thirty-four rooms, six of which are bathrooms.  There was no electricity when the family lived there.  All of the furnishings remained after Roosevelt’s departure when he was stricken with polio in 1921.

At the visitor center we watched a 15 minute movie giving the history of Roosevelt.  Then a guide walked us to the home, giving us more information.  In the home there were several guides answering any questions you might have.  We were able to view the main floor and the upper floor, seeing the living areas, guest rooms, and bedrooms and bathrooms.  What a beautiful setting with a beautiful view.

After the tour of the cottage we drove around the rest of the island passing older homes, landings, ocean views.  At the northern end we saw East Quoddy Lighthouse (Head Harbour) and at the southern end we saw Mulholland Lighthouse.